Group home parenting: an examination of the role

The staff role in group homes and half-way houses is psychologically demanding. Burn out and turnover are frequent; stress reactions are possible. Mental health professionals can contribute to program effectiveness and staff well-being by helping prepare persons to cope with the role stresses. Adequate preparation requires an understanding of the role experiences and their psychological implications. An initial analysis of the role is presented. The role is viewed as ambiguous, socially complex, and engendering performance fear. It requires a redefinition of the relation between work and personal life. The coping strategies of successful staff are described.